Civil Guard Officers Arrested in Spain-Morocco Drug Trafficking Scandal

The Internal Affairs Service of the Civil Guard has opened an investigation into "acts of police corruption linked to criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking between Morocco and Spain," reports Europa Press. Agents would have "formed an organized group that brought drugs into the country, in collaboration with various drug trafficking organizations," the indictment filed by the public prosecutor states. Specifically, these agents "were to ensure security during the transport of the drugs until their unloading, by informing the members of the trafficking network of the security devices, schedules and locations of the patrols" to allow them to bypass them, the prosecutor’s office said.

One agent was primarily responsible for contacting the criminal organizations and providing them with the necessary information, and was paid "according to the services required," the prosecutor said, adding that the two other agents "collaborated with him, followed his instructions and obtained their reward in return." Six other people, suspected of having links with criminal organizations involved in hashish trafficking, are also accused and prosecuted.

To read: Spanish Police Seize Record 30 Tons of Hashish in Atlantic Drug Bust

The investigation revealed that in one of these transactions, "the accused Civil Guards received 7,500 euros each" to allow a boat carrying 750 kilos of hashish to enter Motril. Phones, cash, various drugs, boxes of anabolic steroids and medicines, as well as vehicles were found at the homes of the accused after their search.

The prosecution, which accuses the three agents of conspiracy to commit a crime against public health, membership in a criminal group, breach of republican obligations, has requested nine years in prison for each of them and a 25-year ban on employment or public office. As for the other accused, prosecuted for public health offenses, conspiracy and membership in a criminal group, it is seeking sentences ranging from five to nine years in prison and the payment of fines. The trial begins this Monday, June 28 and will continue on July 1, 2 and 5 at the Malaga Audience, judicial sources inform.